Liasis olivaceus or the Olive Python

The Olive Python is sometimes confused with the Water Python, or (often to its detriment) the venomous Mulga Snake. On closer inspection they are very different looking animals. The Olive Python grows to a length of 4 metres, with those from the Pilbara region in Western Australia reaching even greater lengths. The back is a pale fawn to rich brown or dull olive brown in colour, while the belly is a light cream. The lips are pale, finely dotted with grey or brown.

The Olive Python is found in the drier parts of northern Australia, from northwestern Western Australia to western Queensland. They seem to be more abundant amongst the rocky hills and ranges. The length and weight of an adult Olive Python restricts its climbing to only the largest trees and rocky outcrops.As with all pythons, the Olive Python does most of its hunting at night time, feeding on rats, birds, and wallabies.

The female Olive Python can deposit up to 24 eggs per clutch. She will then wrap her coils around these eggs and produce a suitable microenvironment to aid in their hatching.

Did you know...

The length and weight of an adult olive python restricts its climbing to only the largest trees and rocky outcrops.

The olive python grows to a length of 4 metres, with those from the Pilbara region in Western Australia reaching even greater lengths.

The olive python is sometimes confused with the water python, or (often to its detriment) the venomous mulga snake. On closer inspection they are very different looking animals.

The female olive python can deposit up to 24 eggs per clutch. She will then wrap her coils around these eggs and produce a suitable microenvironment to aid in their hatching.